Stacking fixture



Jul'y RJE. DOWDELL 1,916,755

STACKING FIXTURE Filed Sept. 2, 1931 H REDowdell WWWW- mom,

Patented July 4, 1933 UNITED STATES RUTH E. DOWDELL, OF COLUMBUS, OHIOs'rAoKING F XTURE I Application filed September 2, 1 931. SerialNo.560368 2. l s- This invention relates to improvements in stacking ffixtures and has for its primary object the provision of simple yetefficient means for eifectingthe stacking or nesting of lamp shadeswhereby said shades may be compactly assembled for transportation,storage or display purposes in such a. manner as to occupy but a minimumof space and be spaced relatively in order to minimize the possibilityof damage thereto.

' It is the common practice in the merchandising-of lamp sh ades used inconnection with floor and othertypes of lamps to place such shades, whenthe same are of approximately the same dimensions, in a grouped ornested relationship, in order that a large number of the shades may beretained in but a minimum of storage spacef Such, nesting of the'shadesfrequently results in scratching, creasing or L otherwise marrin g orinjuring-the same with consequent economic lossto the, merchant handlingthe same and,'therefore, in accordg ance with the present invention, Iprovide a stacking or spacing fixture by which said lamp shades may beassembled one on the otherand yet maintained in such spaced re1a Fig. 1is a view in vertical section of a shade v stacking fixture formed naccordance w th the present invention; I

Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof;

4 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through several nested lampshades and disclosing the operating positions of the fixtures in theassembly; p

Fig.4 is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line H of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form offixture. 7

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designatesmy'improved I shade stacking fixture in its entirety. Pref er-ably, thisfixture comprises a substantially cylindrical body 2 formed from anydesired material such as metal, wood, or molded com position." The body2 has provided therein longitudinally extending socket -3 which 50 opensto the upper end 4 of said body. Intermediately of its length, the bodyhas integrally formed therewith an annular laterally projecting flange5, while the lower end of the body terminates in an extension 6 oflesser diameter than the diameter of the body 2 in order thatthe'extension may be received within the socket of a lower complementalfixture.

In the use of the invention, as shown in Fig. 1 3, the lamp shades a, band c are assembled in nested relationship with the spacing fixturesarranged between them to prevent contact between adjoining portions orsurfaces of the grouped shades. Each shade com 7 prises the usualstandard receiving ring 7 located in the upper axial portion'offeachshade, and connected with the ring are radially ex tending supportingwires 8, which have their outer ends connected with circular wires 9'towhich the upper edge portions of the shade coverings-are connected; Afixture 1 is positioned in the ring 7 of the lowermost shade a, so thatthe bottom portion of its flange 5 rests uponthe upper surface of thering 7. 1

The bottom fixture of the assembly is indicated by the letter (Z. Thenext fixture, indicated at e, is then positioned with its extension 6received in the socket 3 of thefixture;

Y The shade'bis then positioned over the shade at until the lowermostsurface of the ring 7 of the'shade 6 contacts with the upper surfaces ofthe flange 5 of the fixture e, the body 2 of the fixture serving toprevent any lateral shifting of the shade on the fixture assembly;

A third fixture f isthen positioned in the fixturee and the shade c ispositioned thereon as described inrelation to the positioning of theshade b on the fixture e. In this manner, one

shade maybe placed on the other in any desired number and yet each shadewill be effectively spaced from adjoining shades to avoid marring,scratching or in any way injuring the decorative surfaces of the shadesby reason of handling when in such grouped order. The group of nestedshades may be separated where desired to permit of the selectedwithdrawal of any one shade. For example, if the shade b were to beremoved from a dozen or more nested shades, it will be ob served that byelevating the group of shades from 0 and above, the shade 6 couldreadily be removed from its connection with the fixture 6 withoutdisturbing the grouped order of the removed shades.-

The present invention is especially advantageous in establishments wherelarge quantities of lamp shades are being displayed for It is well knownly in'price, are of fragile construction and in many instances are quitecostly. Great care has usually been exercised in the past by salesclerks or others having them'in charge, to prevent injury to individualshades in order to avoid loss in their predetermined sales value.However, in spite of such precautions, many of such fragile shades havebeen ruined or injured especially by handling when in nestedrelationship or by the mere weight of the shades pressing on. oneanother. I have found that by usingthe fixture comprising the presentinvention, these losses have been greatly reduced, shade injuriesminimized and in addition considerable con- ,venience is afforded in thefacility with which the nested or 'rou Jed shades ma be handled.

In lug. '5, a form of the fixture has been illustrated wherein theflange 5 has been omitted and the body 2a is of uniform di-i ameterthroughout its length. In this form of the invention, the shade ring 7rests upon the upper surface of the body 2a, and the eX- tension 6a isused as a centering means for the shade. It is also obvious thatthefixture is subject to further modification and therefore I do not desireto be limited to thesp'ecific disclosures above set forth andillustrated but reserve the right to employ such variations of myinvention that may be said to fall fairly within the scope of thefollowing claims.

\Vhat is claimed is t 1. As a new article of manufacture, a lamp shadespacing fixture comprising a cylindrical bodyhaving a longitudinallyextending axially disposed socket formed therein opening to one end ofsaid body, a positioning flange extending peripherally and laterallyfrom said body at a point intermediate of ts ends, and an extension ofreduced diameter formed at one end. with said body l. receivable withinthe socket of an adjoining nxtureu 2. As a new article shade spacingfixture comprising a body havng a longitudinally extending axiallydisposed socket formed therein opening to one end of said body, apositlonlng flange extending periphe ally and laterally from said bodyat a point intermediate of its ends,.and an extension of reduceddiameter formed at one Q11(,l"W1l}ll said body and receivable within ormanufacture, a lamp.

the socket of an adjoining similar fixture,

said flange serving as a seat for the center ring of a lamp shade frame.

in testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RuTi-i n. DOWDELL.

